Bill > SB5404

This bill reforms public defense services funding and administration in Washington state, with several key provisions. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the state will share funding responsibility for public defense services, specifically taking on 50 percent of costs based on a five-year average of county expenditures and becoming responsible for any costs exceeding that average. Counties will be required to report detailed case statistics, including the number of assigned and resolved cases, billable attorney hours, and per-attorney caseloads to the Office of Public Defense (OPD). The bill also mandates that counties designate a public defense coordinator and encourages the creation of public defense districts. Counties will have the option to request that the OPD assume responsibility for providing public defense services, particularly for counties with low population density. Additionally, the bill requires the OPD to examine ways to reduce public defense caseloads and backlogs, and the Administrator for the Courts must collect and report data on cases with assigned public defenders. Funds that counties previously spent on public defense can now be redirected to activities like pretrial diversion programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry services, and behavioral health facilities. The overall goal is to improve the quality, efficiency, and funding structure of public defense services across Washington state.

Justice

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5404&Year=2025&Initiative=false